U.S. patent number 5,246,265 [Application Number 07/946,594] was granted by the patent office on 1993-09-21 for lounge chair.
Invention is credited to Brian J. Nagan, Karen A. Nagan.
United States Patent |
5,246,265 |
Nagan , et al. |
September 21, 1993 |
Lounge chair
Abstract
A lounger which comprises a frame and a cover. The frame
includes a seat section, a back rest section, and a foot rest
section. The seat section is supported by two legs. Positioning
gears are provided which permit the legs as well as the back rest
and the foot rest section to be folded. Each of the legs are
engagable in a locking position and the back rest and the foot rest
section are engagable in a plurality of locking positions. The legs
may be telescopic to permit the elevation of the lounger to be
varied. Laterally disposed cross members improve the structural
integrity of the telescopic legs. The cover is stretchable about
the frame and may be removable. The cover is fabricated of a
mixture of nylon yarn and spandex fibers, providing a breathable
and moisture absorbent cover which is cool and comfortable to the
user. A supplemental support may be provided to ensure that the
lounger is capable of sustaining a large robust person. Moreover,
the frame and the cover can be dimensioned and configured so as to
support a large, robust person.
Inventors: |
Nagan; Karen A. (Neenah,
WI), Nagan; Brian J. (Neenah, WI) |
Family
ID: |
25484705 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/946,594 |
Filed: |
September 18, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/54; 297/31;
297/344.18; D6/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
3/38 (20130101); A47C 17/70 (20130101); A47C
4/20 (20130101); A47C 3/40 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
3/20 (20060101); A47C 4/00 (20060101); A47C
4/20 (20060101); A47C 3/38 (20060101); A47C
3/40 (20060101); A47C 004/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/19,29,31,34,35,45,51,52,53,54,218,223,229,441,345 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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|
|
718700 |
|
Sep 1965 |
|
CA |
|
2237972 |
|
Feb 1974 |
|
DE |
|
644558 |
|
Oct 1950 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Cranmer; Laurie K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Litman; Richard C.
Claims
We claim:
1. A lounger comprising:
a) a frame including:
1) a seat section;
2) a front leg pivotally joined to a forward portion of said seat
section;
3) a rear leg pivotally joined to a rearward portion of said seat
section;
said legs are foldable toward each other and toward said seat
section, said legs further being engagable in a locking position;
and
4) a back rest section pivotally joined to a rearward portion of
said seat section;
5) a foot rest section pivotally joined to a forward portion of
said seat section;
said both said foot rest section and said back rest section are
foldable toward each other and toward said seat section and are
engagable in a plurality of locking positions through a movement of
the same; and
b) a cover of unitary construction stretched tightly about said
frame to cover said seat section, said back rest section and said
foot rest section and secured about the periphery of said frame to
support a user of said lounge, said cover being of a nylon yarn and
a spandex fiber.
2. The lounger according to claim 1, wherein said front and rear
legs are telescopically adjustable to produce a variance in
elevation of said frame.
3. The lounger according to claim 2, wherein said front and rear
legs each include a lateral cross member which provides enhanced
structural integrity.
4. The lounger according to claim 1, wherein said seat section is
provided with a supplemental support.
5. The lounger according to claim 4, wherein said supplemental
support is a laterally disposed strip of resilient webbing.
6. The lounger according to claim 1, further includes means for
removably securing said legs to said frame.
7. The lounger according to claim 6, further includes means for
removably securing said cover to said frame.
8. A lounger comprising:
a) a frame including:
1) a seat section;
2) a front leg being pivotally joined to a forward portion of said
seat section, said front leg being engagable in a locking position
to support a front portion of said seat, said front leg further
being telescopically adjustable to produce a variance in elevation
of said seat;
3) a rear leg being pivotally joined to a rearward portion of said
seat section, said rear leg being engagable in a locking position
to support a rear portion of said seat, said rear leg further being
telescopically adjustable to produce a variance in elevation of
said seat;
said legs are foldable toward each other and toward said seat
section;
4) a back rest section pivotally joined to a rearward portion of
said seat section; and
5) a foot rest section pivotally joined to a forward portion of
said seat section;
both said foot rest section and said back rest section are foldable
toward each other and toward said seat section and are engagable in
a plurality of locking positions through a movement of the same;
and
b) a removable cover of unitary construction stretched tightly
about said frame to cover said seat section, said back rest section
and said foot rest section and secured about the periphery of said
frame to support a user of said lounge.
9. The lounger according to claim 8, wherein said front and rear
legs each include a lateral cross member to provide supplemental
support for said frame.
10. The lounger according to claim 8, wherein said seat section is
provided with a supplemental support.
11. The lounger according to claim 10, wherein said supplemental
support is a laterally disposed strip of resilient webbing.
12. The lounger according to claim 8, wherein said cover is made of
a nylon yarn and a spandex fiber.
13. A lounger comprising:
a) a frame including:
1) a seat section having a pair of tubular side members spaced
apart and disposed in a parallel manner, each of said tubular
members having opposite ends and having a positioning gear fastened
to each of said ends, thus providing a pair of said positioning
gears located forward of said tubular side members and a pair of
said positioning gears located rearward of said tubular side
members;
2) a front telescopic leg comprising a frontal laterally disposed
substantially U-shaped tubular member having opposite ends, each
one of said ends of said front substantially U-shaped tubular
member being telescopically engagable with a respective one of said
pair of said positioning gears located forward of said tubular side
members, said front telescopic leg further comprising a laterally
disposed cross member to improve structural integrity of said front
telescopic leg;
3) a rear telescopic leg comprising a rearward laterally disposed
substantially U-shaped tubular member having opposite ends, each
one of said ends of said rear substantially U-shaped tubular member
being telescopically engagable with a respective one of said pair
of said positioning gears located rearward of each of said tubular
side members, said rear telescopic leg further comprising a
laterally disposed cross member to improve structural integrity of
said rear telescopic leg, wherein
said legs are foldable toward each other and toward a bottom
surface of said seat section and are foldable away from each other
and away from said bottom surface of said seat section to a point
slightly past a vertical displacement where said legs are engagable
in a locking position, thus substantially limiting pivotal movement
of said legs to an area beneath said seat section, said legs
further being independently, telescopically adjustable to provide a
variance in elevation of said lounger;
4) a back rest section comprising a back end laterally disposed
substantially U-shaped tubular member having opposite ends, each
one of said ends of said back end substantially U-shaped tubular
member being fastened to a respective one of said pair of said
positioning gears located rearward of said tubular side members;
and
5) a foot rest section comprising a foot end laterally disposed
substantially U-shaped tubular member having opposite ends, each
one of said ends of said foot end substantially U-shaped tubular
member being fastened to a respective one of said pair of said
positioning gears located forward of each of said tubular side
members, wherein
said both said foot rest section and said back rest section are
foldable toward each other and toward a top surface of said seat
section and are foldable away from each other and away from said
top surface of said seat section to a point slightly above a
supporting surface, said foot rest section and said back rest
section are each engagable in a plurality of locking positions
through a movement of the same; and
b) a cover stretched taut about said frame to support a user of
said lounge, said cover being of a nylon yarn and a spandex
fiber.
14. The lounger according to claim 13, wherein said seat is
provided with a supplemental support.
15. The lounger according to claim 14, wherein said supplement
support is a laterally disposed strip of resilient webbing.
16. The according to claim 13, further comprising means for
removably securing said cover to said frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable folding furniture and,
more particularly, to a portable folding lounger having a strong
elastic breathable fitted fabric conver and being structured to
comfortably support a tall and robust person.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A seat or chair structure that supports some type of pad or
covering has been appreciated in prior art. Such a pad or covering
is often of a canvas or a synthetic material which may become
soiled and after exposure to the sun may fade or become hot. A
prior art lounger having a canvas covering is described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,301 issued May 1, 1990 to R.
Jalaine Haynes. Another lounger having a canvas or plastic covering
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,353 issued Jan. 9, 1990 to Dan J.
Goddard.
Methods of enhancing the comfort of a longer are known. It is
common practice to drape a towel or blanket over the chair for
comfort and convenience of the user. The towel or blanket absorbs
tanning oils and lotions and protects the user from the hot surface
of the covering. The disadvantage of the towel or blanket is that
the towel or blanket is subject to shifting. Accordingly, the user
must continually readjust or reposition the same to make certain
that it covers the surface beneath the user. A mat would be an
alternative to a towel or blanket. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.
4,979,735 issued Dec. 25, 1990 to Robert L. Nathans et al.
discloses a mat positioned upon a lounge chair. The mat is
comprised of a plurality of parallel channels being fabricated of a
flexible vinyl plastic. A continuous flow of water is circulated
through each channel to facilitate cooling a person using the
lounge chair.
Another lounger which provides a cooling effect is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,585 issued Feb. 27, 1979 to Wynona Blackman.
Blackman teaches a folding cooling lounge chair having a plurality
of vented chambers, each adapted to receive a coolant therein. A
fan is employed to create air flow through the chambers, forcing
air through the vents to cool a person off.
A variety of lounge chairs have been described and various methods
have been devised to keep the user of lounge chairs cool, however,
a lounge chair which is covered with a fabric having a composition
with a low coefficient of absorption would absorb less radiant heat
when exposed to the sunlight and, in turn, remain cooler and
provide greater comfort for the user. Moreover, a woven fabric
having a large number infinitesimal interstices would be
exceptionally breathable and moisture absorbent and thus, provide a
cooler, more comfortable lounge chair.
Prior art shows that lounge chair structures have also gone through
a metamorphic change evolving into the present day conventional
lounge chair. Structures of this type are generally illustrated,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,384 issued Apr. 2, 1985 to
Lawrence E. Castelot et al. Castelot illustrates a footrest frame
and a backrest frame, each of which are foldable to a posture
adjacent the top surface of a seat frame. Similarly, the legs are
foldable to a position adjacent the bottom surface of the seat
frame, thus providing a chair that is foldable into a small
compass. An alternative frame structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,061,011 issued Oct. 29, 1991 to Robert H. Miller. Miller
discloses a chaise lounger having a seat, a back, and a lounge
member which is removably connectable to the seat such that it
extends forward of the seat. Stabilizing bars connected between the
front legs and the lounge member provide supplemental support. One
issue identified with seat and chair structures which has yet to be
addressed is the discomfort associated with being seated in the
same. A disadvantage of conventional chairs is that the frame is
typically low to the ground. The present inventor has found that a
need exists for a chair which may vary in height, a chair which may
be in the form of a lounger in which all of the components are
contained therein and which may be readily folded for storage and
transportation.
None of the above patents, taken either singly or in combination,
is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lounger which comprises a frame
and a cover. The frame includes a seat section having a pair of
tubular side members spaced apart and disposed parallel to each
other. Each of the tubular side members have opposite ends
engagable with respective positioning gears located to the front
and the rear of the tubular side members. The front and rear
tubular, telescopic legs are both substantially U-shaped. Each of
the legs are laterally disposed. Each of the legs further has
opposite ends engagable with the respective positioning gears.
Laterally disposed cross members improve the structural integrity
of each telescopic leg. Each leg is foldable toward the other leg
and toward the seat section as well as foldable away from one
another and away from the seat section to a point where the legs
are engagable in a locked position. A back rest section and a foot
rest section are each comprised of laterally disposed substantially
U-shaped tubular members. These tubular members each have opposite
ends, each end being fastened to a respective positioning gear. The
foot rest section and the back rest section are foldable toward
each other and the seat section as well as foldable away from each
other and away from the seat section. Both the foot rest and back
rest section are each engagable in a plurality of locking positions
throughout their pivotal movement. The cover is unitary as well as
stretchable about the frame and may be removable. The cover is
fabricated of a fabric being eighty-six percent nylon yarn,
preferably Supplex brand nylon manufactured by E. I. Du Pont De
Nemours and Company of the United States, and fourteen percent,
preferably Lycra brand spandex also manufactured by E. I. Du Pont
De Nemours and Company. This particular fabric composition is
breathable and moisture absorbent, providing a cool comfortable
lounger. The frame and the cover should be dimensioned and
configured to support a large, robust person. A supplemental
support, such as webbed nylon straps, may be provided to ensure
that the lounger is capable of supporting a large robust
person.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a
lounger which comprises a frame having a frame which includes a
plurality of sections, that is, a seat, a foot rest, and a back
rest section, each section being fabricated of tubular members.
It is another object of the invention to provide a lounger having
positioning gears for releasably locking both the back rest and
foot rest sections in a variety of positions.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a lounger having
front and rear telescopic U-shaped tubular legs, being laterally
disposed and having opposite ends engagable with respective
positioning gears.
It is another object of the invention to provide a lounger having
laterally disposed cross members to improve the structural
integrity of the telescopic legs.
It is a yet another object of the invention to provide a lounger
having legs foldable toward the other leg and toward the seat
section as well as foldable away from one another and away from the
seat section to a point where the legs are engagable in a locked
position.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lounger having a
back rest and foot rest section which are each fastened to a
respective positioning gear to enable both the foot rest and back
rest sections to be foldable toward each other and toward the seat
section as well as away from each other and away from the seat
section.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lounger
having foot and back sections each of which are engagable in a
plurality of locking positions throughout their pivotal
movement.
A further object of the invention is to provide a lounger having a
cover which is unitary as well as stretchable about the frame and
which may be removable.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lounger
having a cover which is fabricated of a fabric being eighty-six
percent nylon yarn and fourteen percent spandex, thus providing a
cover which is breathable and moisture absorbent, providing a cool
comfortable lounger.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lounger having a
frame and cover dimensioned and configured to support a large,
robust person.
Further, an object of the invention is to provide a lounger having
supplemental supports to ensure that the lounger is capable of
supporting a large robust person.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and
arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described
which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detail of the telescopic leg of the lounger.
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the mobility of the lounger
frame.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention a lounger 10a. The lounger 10a, as shown in
FIG. 1, is comprised of a frame 12a and a fabric cover 14a. The
frame 12a includes a seat section 16a supported by front and rear
U-shaped legs 18a. A back rest 22a and a foot rest 24a are
pivotally attached to a rear and front portion of the seat section
16a, respectively. The front leg 18a and the foot rest 24a are each
independently engagable with left and right front positioning gears
26a located proximate the front portion of the seat section 16a.
The rear leg 18a and the back rest 22a are each independently
engagable with left and right rear positioning gears 26a located
proximate the rear portion of the seat section 16a. The positioning
gears 26a are of the conventional type currently known in the prior
art. The frame 12a is fabricated of a strong, durable light weight
material, preferably a tubular metal, such as aluminum tubing.
Unlike conventional loungers, the present invention should be
dimensioned and configured to accommodate a large and/or robust
person. The overall dimensions of the present inventions should
preferably be six feet four inches in length, three feet in width,
and at least one and one half feet high. The preferred length of
the frame 12a can be achieved with a foot rest section 24a and a
head rest section 22a each being two feet in length and a seat
section 16a being two feet four inches in length. The fabric cover
14a is a mixture of nylon yarn and spandex fiber. The nylon yarn is
preferably Supplex brand nylon manufactured by E. I. Du Pont De
Nemours and Company of the United States and the spandex fiber is
preferably Lycra brand spandex also manufactured by E. I. Du Pont
De Nemours and Company. A mixture of eighty-six percent of nylon
yarn and fourteen percent of spandex fiber provides a strong
support which is both breathable and moisture absorbent. This
fabric composition provides a cool comfortable fabric cover 14a.
When a predetermined weight or thickness of the fabric is employed,
the fabric cover 14 a can support a large or robust user (not
shown).
The unitary fabric cover 14a is designed to stretch tightly over
the frame such that fabric cover 14a covers all three sections of
lounger 10a, i.e., the back rest 22a, the seat section 16a and the
foot rest 24a.
FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the lounger 10b. The frame
12b of this alternative embodiment is similar to the aforementioned
frame 14a. However, this frame 12b incorporates front and rear legs
18b which telescopically or slidably engagable with the positioning
gears 26b to provide a means to vary the elevation of the frame 12b
to a height of up to one and one half feet or more. Additionally,
laterally disposed cross-members 30 are integral with each of the
legs 18b to enhance the structural integrity of the legs 18b and,
in turn, of the frame 10b.
FIG. 3 shows one method of engaging and disengaging the legs 18b.
The particular assembly utilizes a pin 32 attached to each end of
each leg 18b. The pins 32 are each normally biased inward into and
through an aperture 34. This is accomplished through the use of a
spring 36 carried by the pin 32. A plurality of holes 38 are
provided in an elongated member 40 which extends from each of the
positioning gears 26b. The elevation of the frame 10b is adjusted
simply by independently withdrawing the pin 32 from the leg 18b
clear of the holes 38 in the elongated member 40 and by slidably
adjusting the elongated member 40 within the leg 18b, thus varying
the hole 38 which aligns with the pin 32. Once the elongated member
40 has been adjusted to the desired length, the pin 32 may be
releases to engage with the hole 38 nearest the pin 32. The legs
18a may be removed entirely, simply by withdrawing the pins 32 and
holding the pins 32 in this withdrawn posture until the respective
elongated members 40 are each slidably disengaged from the
respective ends of the legs 18a.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the unitary fabric cover 14b may be
removable. A fastener 42 is provided preferably at the forward end
of the foot section 24b of the fabric cover 14b. The fabric cover
14b may be removed by unfastening the fastener 42 and by removing
the legs 18a in the above prescribed manner. Having accomplished
this, the fabric cover 14b may be slipped off the frame 12b in the
direction A. This enables the fabric cover 14b to be machined
washed. Alternatively, the fastener 42 may be eliminated if at
least one lateral opening 44 is provided either between the seat
section 16b and the back rest section 22b or between the seat
section 16b and the foot rest section 24b. This enables the frame
12b to ingress into and egress from the fabric cover 14b merely by
manipulating the frame 14b.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a supplemental support 46 which may be
permanently or removably attached to the seat section 16b. The
support 46 may be fabricated of the same material as the cover 14b
or may be a webbed nylon strap, similar to that used for automobile
safety belts. The fabric cover 14b may cover both the front and the
back side of the frame 12b, concealing the support 46 therein. This
support 46 ensures that the lounger 10b will sustain a large robust
user.
FIG. 4 shows the directions in which the legs 18a,18b the back rest
section 22a,22b, and the foot rest section 24a,24b may be
manipulated or may move relative to the seat section 16a,16b. The
legs 18a,18b are foldable toward each other and toward the seat
section in the direction B. The legs 18a,18b are further pivotal
away from each other in the direction C and are engagable in a
locking position. The foot rest section and the back rest section
are foldable toward each other and toward the seat section in the
direction D, are further pivotal away from each other in the
direction E, and are engagable in a plurality of locking positions
through the movement in the direction D.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *